Police have confirmed that the driver of a Honda Jazz involved in a fatal crash with a Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) student at a traffic-light junction on Jalan Kemajuan yesterday is suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD).
Kuala Terengganu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Azli Mohd Noor said the 32-year-old man has been receiving psychiatric treatment at Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital since January last year.
He added that the suspect, who is currently in stable condition, is still undergoing treatment at the hospital for a broken right hand and multiple injuries sustained in the crash.
“The suspect is confirmed to be suffering from MDD and has sought psychiatric treatment at the hospital several times since January 2025,” Azli said in a statement today.
“He is alive and not dead, as has been falsely circulated on social media. He remains hospitalised and will require surgery for a serious hand injury.”
Further investigations revealed that prior to the accident, the suspect allegedly broke into a Honda City parked near Sultan Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Stadium at about 1.45pm, stealing several items including RM200 in cash.
Azli said the suspect then returned to the Honda Jazz with the stolen items and cash before speeding off, which led to the crash on Jalan Kemajuan. The incident was captured on dashcam footage.
Checks by the Road Transport Department (RTD) confirmed that the Honda Jazz belonged to the suspect’s brother and was not a stolen vehicle, contrary to claims circulating on social media.
Azli urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information, out of respect for the victim’s family, and called on all parties to allow police to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
He said the suspect will be detained for investigation under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 after completing surgery and fully recovering.
In the incident at about 1.55pm, the victim, Syakirah Hanan Mazli, 25, was travelling from UniSZA towards Bukit Kecil when her car was struck by the Honda Jazz coming from the opposite direction as she made a right turn after the traffic light turned green.
The second-semester postgraduate diploma in education student died at the scene.
